Detroit Pistons 'Ask David' questions: Will Jason Maxiell be back in 2013-14 season?

Detroit Pistons reader Lisle wants to see Jason Maxiell, pictured here, back with the team in 2013-14.AP Photo

PHOENIX -- Greetings from the site where the Detroit Pistons' west-coast trip begins tonight. With the regular season under way, it's time for another round of "Ask David" questions.

We started this feature during the offseason, without much specificity as to its regularity. That changes now. You can look for a new segment of "Ask David" every Friday during the season. But it's dependent upon your participation, so keep those questions coming. No question too big or too small for an answer.

That doesn't mean I'll always be correct, just that I'll always answer as best I can.

Remember to put "Ask David" in the subject line and email your questions to dmayo@mlive.com for inclusion in next week's version.

Let's get started.

Q: With the cap room that will be available after this season, the Pistons, I assume, will take care of Greg Monroe. I see Charlie Villanueva gone, Corey Maggette gone, but I would love to lock up Jason Maxiell, he was our workhorse last season and I see the same this season. Do you see him as a Piston after this contract year? If not, which team do you see him with? -- Lisle

A: Yes, Lisle, many of these maneuverings to clear space were done with the idea of taking care of Monroe after the 2013-14 season and avoiding the possibility of a qualifying offer for 2014-15 and restricted free agency thereafter.

I know a lot of people want Maxiell gone. I just don't quite get why. What they should want is for someone to beat him out and take his job. (I liken this to last year's early cries of "Why are they playing Damien Wilkins at backup small forward?" and the real answer was, "Because Austin Daye couldn't beat him out for the job, that's why.") No one has beaten Maxiell out of his job. That's not his fault. I think there's a very good possibility Maxiell, who makes $5 million, or just about exactly the average NBA salary, is right back in Detroit next year, on a short-term contract, possibly even for a little bit more money, particularly if Andre Drummond isn't quite ready to take over as starting center and move Monroe to power forward.

Maxiell isn't the power forward who's the problem, from a financial or productivity standpoint. Villanueva still has a player option for $8.5 million next year, and it would be an enormous surprise if he didn't exercise it. Then, the Pistons have a decision to make.

Maggette, in his 14th year in the league, and with an expiring contract, might be in his last season. That's not to say he couldn't continue to play on if he chooses, but he won't be getting another eight-figure contract from anyone and he might just be ready to move on with the next phase of his life.

Q: Hi David, with the regular under way here are a couple questions. Will the Pistons make the playoffs and what will their 2012-13 record be? Also, what two teams makes the NBA Finals and who wins it? I say the Pistons finish at 38-44 (not making the playoffs), with the Lakers beating the Heat in the finals giving Kobe his sixth NBA championship. What is your take on the James Harden trade, going to the Rockets? With the Thunder getting Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick, and with the Rockets also getting Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward. I don’t see how this helps the Thunder this season. And I know you were a big ABA fan, was Julius Erving the greatest ABA player in your estimation? Also, name your five all-time favorite ABA players. Thanks -- Jeff

A: (In Jim Mora voice) Playoffs? You talkin' 'bout playoffs?!? I see the Pistons falling at about 30-33 wins. Much more than that would constitute real growth, much less than that would be a disappointment in the second year under head coach Lawrence Frank. But it's a young team and there are plenty of questions to answer.

I'd like the Lakers a lot more if they could play with three basketballs and ran an entirely different offense, but I think they'll get it together later in the season. With the Lakers working to find chemistry and the Thunder trying to adjust to the Harden trade, that opens the door for one last run by San Antonio, too. Don't count out the Spurs, especially if Gregg Popovich gets to coach against the Lakers' Mike Brown in the Western Conference Finals. Just sayin'. At the end of the day, I think the adjustment is easier for the Thunder and I'll stick with them to win the Western Conference again...for now. And Miami goes back-to-back.

As for the Harden trade, obviously, it's a move to allow the Thunder to afford Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who make more than $30 million combined every year through 2015-16. It's a small market and they pack the arena, but the Thunder's revenue stream never will be equitable with the Lakers, Knicks, Heat, etc. The Thunder had to pick their poison and decided they couldn't give Harden a maximum contract over a period of years. They felt better off with Kevin Martin on an expiring contract. Does it make them better now? No, and as you mentioned, they gave up some supporting cast members, too. But it doesn't make them markedly worse, either. Don't be surprised if they're right back in the finals.

There were some great players in the ABA. Erving, all in all, probably was the best. If Connie Hawkins had stuck around longer before jumping to the NBA, I might have a different answer. My five favorites? I'll say Erving, Artis Gilmore, Dan Issel, Louie Dampier and (remember, you said favorite, not best, Jeff) Zelmo Beaty.

Q: What about Slava Kravtsov? I viewed him as getting John Henson in the draft for free as they seem to be the same type player. -- Gregory

A: Henson can step away from the basket offensively, so there's a big difference there, but your overarching point that they're both shot-blockers who can protect the interior is well-taken, Gregory. So is the concept that the Pistons creatively went out and found something for nothing by signing a European free agent who didn't cost them a draft pick or anything in trade and who fits their biggest need defensively, rim protection.

Obviously, Kravtsov has some comprehension hurdles to clear before he can contribute, both literally and in the basketball sense. Understanding the plays is one thing, understanding them when they're barked at you in a foreign language is different. Even the slightest hiccup in his internal translation can result in a screen that's not set, or a slam dunk that he arrives too late to stop.

Best case for Kravtsov, the way I see it, is to develop this year and wait for Drummond to take over as starting center and push Monroe to power forward. When and if that happens this season, Kravtsov's value as a backup center would increase exponentially.

Have a Pistons-related question for MLive Media Group beat writer David Mayo? Email it to dmayo@mlive.com with "Ask David" in the subject line.